If you’re a Canucks fan that’s been sitting on the edge of your seat hoping to find some news about whether or not Roberto Luongo will be the team’s captain again next season, first of all, relax. Secondly, we’ve got an update for you.

“I think that the expectations that go with that position, with that title, in a Canadian city can be a distraction,” Gillis admitted. “I will discuss that with him (Monday), and I will find out whether he feels the same way, and get his thoughts on the process.”

Apart from the fact the captain of an NHL team is expected to speak to the media at nearly every practice, morning skate and after every game — a serious task with the growing media horde surrounding these Canucks — the bigger problem came in the playoffs when the Canucks’ play lacked, particularly in the shot-blocking department.

It is at times like that when the captain needs to step up and publicly state where the team needs to improve. But when a goalie chastises his team in the media for failing to block enough shots, it comes across as the goalie pointing the finger at teammates.

It’s a good bet the captaincy goes to Henrik Sedin when the season starts in October.

“I know (Luongo) desperately wants to win a Stanley Cup, and he’s going to do everything in his power to do that. If he feels it’s a distraction or hinders his play in any way I’m sure he’ll make the best decision for the team first and for him second,” Gillis said.

Given how much talk there is about whether or not Luongo should even be the team captain should be indicative of how much of an issue this is to everyone concerned with the team. The fact that this is such a public discussion shows that the Canucks might need training camp to start sooner than most teams to escape such crazy talk.

Perhaps I’m a bit too old school when it comes to matters of team captaincy, but apparently we’re past the days when the guys on the ice would elect a team captain. I realize that being an NHL captain calls for more demands for your time off the ice as well as responsibilities on it. That said, goaltending is a position that demands mental focus at all times and having your goalie have to face the media after each game and handle the community tie-ins as well seems like more of a burden for a player shoulder than necessary.

Moving the “C” to Henrik Sedin or Ryan Kesler would likely be more of a benefit to the Canucks than they realize. Once they weather the initial storm of taking it from Luongo, they’ll be better off for it.